Coal power plant proposals in Germany

Proposed Coal Fired power Stations
As of August 2008, the known recently proposed coal fired power stations were:


 * Berlin Project was proposed by Vattenfall Europe to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts. By July 2009, Vattenfall had decided to change the proposed coal plant to gas and biomass. The company cited carbon costs and environmental issues as the reasons for the change.


 * Besetenheld Power Station on the Besetenheld industrial estate, Wertheim is identified by Power in Europe as being a Sudweststrom project at the "pre-proposal' stage with the installed capacity being listed as "400?" megawatts and being either coal or gas. The newsletter notes that in November 2006 "this and two other unnamed sites" were under consideration by the company. It noted that "If gas supply contracts are uneconomic, coal will be the fuel, the company says. Wertheim, close to the river Main and a high pressure gas line, is only suitable for a 400-MW gas plant, says Südweststrom." The notional commissioning date for the gas-firted option was 2009 and a coal plant 2013-2014. "A coal plant would probably not be built in Südweststrom’s home state of Baden-Württemberg," it noted.


 * Boxberg Power Station at Boxberg, Saxony is proposed by Vattenfall Europe to have an installed capacity of 675	megawatts and be fired with lignite. Construction began in April 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 2010. In 2005 it was estimated to cost €600 million but the latest estimate is that it will cost €800 million. "Investing heavily in fossil fuels when the struggle for climate change is at the top of everyone's agenda may sound like a contradiction in terms. But in today's situation, there are no other realistic alternatives for meeting Germany's energy needs - coal is and will continue to be Germany's dominant source of energy," Vattenfall wrote in its 2006 annual report. It also stated that "not far from the power plant is Nochten, Vattenfall's own open-cast mine, where Vattenfall can cost-efficiently extract 20 million tonnes of lignite per year".


 * Brunsbuttel Power Station is proposed by Sudweststrom/Iberdrola to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts. In January 2007 SüdwestStrom announced that it proposed to build one or two 800 MW or 1,000 MW units in partnership with Iberdrola. Iberdrola, Power in Europe, an energy trade newsletter reported, "is to build and operate, and take a stake in the station assuming the project goes ahead." The current proposal is for two 800 MW units. Since the announcement of the project, the Swiss company Rätia Energie has entered into an agreement with SüdWestStrom giving it the option of participating in all new power station projects of its partner. Rätia Energie has decided to participate in Brunsbüttel. As of July 2009, a public hearing was under way. Permitting may move forward by September or October 2009.


 * Unnamed Electrabel Power Station at Brunsbuttel or Stade: In addition to the Wilhelmshaven project (see below) Electrabel confirmed in November 2007 that they are considering the possibility of building another 800 MW unit to be commissioned by 2012 at either Stade or Brunsbuttel.


 * Datteln Power Station is proposed by E.ON Kraftwerke to have an installed capacity of 1100 megawatts. In July 2006 Power in Europe reported that E.ON decided to proceed with the proposal with construction slated to begin at the end of 2006. A year later the newsletter reported that the company had requested tenders for bids for “specialist building works” to take place May 2008-May 2010.


 * Dorpen Power Station is proposed by BKW to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts. Power in Europe reported that the estimated cost for the project was €1 billion but stated that the proposed installed capacity was 900 megawatts. At its 2008 annual general meeting, the shareholders of the Swiss energy company BKW were told that "Several projects have already been shelved. Now the coal-fired power plant in Dörpen/Niedersachsen, developed by BKW, is making waves. The project was supported by the relevant authorities in Germany, but after its involvement in Wilhelmshaven BKW has no wish to build Dörpen alone or with a majority interest. The government of the canton of Berne has opposed a BKW holding but also announced that it has no wish to interfere in the company's operating business. We are in the process of setting up a new funding structure which will not place BKW's credibility and financial values at risk." In April 2008 Power in Europe reported that "BKW’s cantonal executive tells company to pull out of coal project. BKW to seek partner in first instance before withdrawing. Also possible that the plant will not be built."


 * Dortmund Power Station is proposed by Steag to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts. In April 2008 Power in Europe tagged this project as being at the 'pre-proposal' stage and noted that Steag was considering it "because demand for capacity has been so high from Stadwerke partners."


 * Ensdorf Power Station Expansion at Ensdorf, Saarland was proposed by RWE in November 2006 to have an installed capacity of 1530 megawatts and cost 2 billion euros to construct. RWE listed it as one of its major capital investments and anticipated that it will be constructed between 2008 and be commissioned in 2012. RWE proposed that new 800 MW coal units would replace, in part, an existing 400 MW coal unit on the site. By August 2007 RWE had decided to proceed with the project but encountered strong local opposition. In November 2007, Power in Europe reported that 70% of local residents had rejected the project and that RWE planned to “withdraw application for consent” and that talks were “lined up with Saarland. This is the fifth coal plant project to be abandoned or put on ice in Germany in 2007, bringing the total abandoned to 4,100 MW.”


 * Frankfurt Power Station was proposed in June 2006 by E.ON Kraftwerke to have an installed capacity of 1100 megawatts with a notional commissioning date of 2014/2015.
 * Gelsenkirchen-Scholven Power Station Expansion is proposed by E.ON Kraftwerke to have an installed capacity of 1100 megawatts with a notional commissioning date of 2014/15 and is designated by Power in Europe as being at the "pre-proposal" level. The newsletter reported in August 2006 noted that "reports surface of a further new coal plant project for E.ON, perhaps at this existing generation site."


 * Griefswald Power Station in in Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is proposed by Dong Energy to have an installed capacity of 1600 megawatts and has a notional commissioning date of 2012. The project sparked widespread community opposition In April 2008 Power in Europe, an energy trade newsletter, reported that the project "is in doubt after members of the SPD government in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have threatened to resign if construction goes ahead. Local opposition is high. Dong wants to start construction this year and operations in 2012." In its "new power plant tracker", the newsletter stated that the proposed "plant still in the the planning process. A final investment decision expected by the end of the year." It also notes that the environmental group BUND estimated that the project would emit 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. As of July 2009, Dong had agreed to use Vattenfall's transmission unit to transport power from the plant. The plant was still waiting for approval. Opponents fear a loss of tourism revenue and damaging effects for aquatic life in the Baltic Sea.


 * Hamm Power Station is proposed by RWE to have an installed capacity of 1530 megawatts and cost 2 billion euros to construct. RWE lists it as one of its major capital investments and anticipates that it will be constructed between 2008 and be commissioned in 2012.


 * Herne 5 Power Station was proposed by Steag to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts. In April 2008 Power in Europe, an energy trade newsletter, reported that Steag "has parked Herne 5 (750-MW) because of rising equipment costs and the threat of 100% CO2 auctioning."


 * Heilbronn Power Station Karlsruhe, Heilbronn	is proposed by ENBW to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts coal-fired and 400 megawatts of gas-fired capacity. In June 2006, ENBW announced that the "preliminary planning for a new power plant on the Heilbronn site would not be continued for the imminent investment cycle". Prof. Dr. Thomas Hartkopf, the Chief Technical Officer of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG stated in a media release that "difficult supply with power plant gas on the Heilbronn site and the resulting unfavourable economic aspects of a new combined gas and steam turbine plant, as well as the special situation at the Neckar site, which leads to comparatively high logistical costs for the supply of coal."


 * Ingelheimer Aue Power Station in Mainz is a proposal by KMW for a 750-800 megawatt unit with a notional commissioning date of 2012 and construction cost of €1 billion. In April 2008 Power in Europe reported that a local group, Koma (Kohlefreies Mainz), claimed that 'opponents to coal' now have a city council majority in both Mainz and Wiesbaden." Koma wants the company to opt for a 400 megawatt gas project. Power in Europe also noted that in May 2007 "2,500 people from Mainz and Wiesbaden protest against project" and that the environmental group BUND estimated the likely carbon dioxide emissions from the project would be 4.2 million tons a year. KMW "had planned to build a new 400 MW CCGT ahead of the 2007 gas tax exemption deadline, but has dropped the idea because of rising fuel prices."


 * Kiel Power Station was proposed by Stadtwerke Kiel, owned to 51% by MVV Energie and be built with E.ON Kraftwerke. The proposal would have had an installed capacity of 800 megawatts but has been postponed, Power in Europe reported, has been "postponed for three years" and that the company would "wait to see what happens with carbon capture and storage technology before proceeding with a big central plant." The newsletter noted that the project had been put on the backburner following protests. As of July 2009, plans for the project had been shelved after a long battle with opponents of the plant. The city utility said it had decided to consider gas as an alternative fuel for the plant and expects to make a decision in 2010.


 * Krefeld-Bayer/Uerdingen Power Station, NRW is proposed by Trianel to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts with a notional commissioning date of 2012. The April 2008 edition of Power in Europe reported that in March 2007 the Krefeld council steering committee advised "against a coal plant, urging a switch to CCGT". However, it reported that the proposal had "strong backing from 27 municipals who are participating" and that "NRW economy ministry backs coal project too." The Royal Bank of Scotland has been appointed as financial advisor for the project.


 * Lausward Power Station Lausward, Dusseldorf harbour: Power in Europe reports that Stadtwerke Dusseldorf is considering a 400 megawatt unit with a notional commissioning date of 2012. The newsletter describes the status of the project as "pre-proposal". It reports that SWB planned to make a final decision on the project in "late 07/early 08" and that it would "reduce emissions by 27% compared with old coal units at the site." As of July 2009, the city utility had put off plans for the new coal-fired unit, citing environmental concerns and local opposition to coal pollution.


 * Lunen Power Station (Trianel), West Rhine Westphalia is proposed by Trianel to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts with a notional commissioning date of 2012. In April 2008 Power in Europe listed the project as having been approved. The newsletter also noted that the project had been oversubscribed with 24 municipal utilities wanting to buy 1045 megawatts. This led Trianel to investigate a second site at Krefeld (see above). A March 2008 media release stated that 'The general agreement now struck [between the utilities] will be translated into specific financing agreements by mid-year. The agreement is conditional on the sponsors obtaining all approvals and permits required for the construction and operation of the power plant." The release also stated that Trianel is aiming to start construction "in mid-2008 subject to the receipt of all requisite permits and the final go-ahead from all shareholders." The Royal Bank of Scotland has been appointed as financial advisor for the project.
 * Lunen Power Station (STEAG) is proposed by STEAG (now known as Evonik Industries) to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts and with a notional date to be online in 2012. Power in Europe reported that the public hearing on the project was set for August 2007 and that the environmental group, BUND, was planning a legal challenge. A year ealier the newsletter noted that the project had "yet to find partners". The project is unrelated to the Trianel proposal listed above.


 * Mannheim Power Station Expansion is proposed by Grosskraftwerk Mannheim (GKM) to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts though Power in Europe describes it as a €1.2 billion 910 megawatt project with a notional commissioning date of 2013. The newsletter describes the GKW consortium consisting of "RWE Power with 40%, ENBW Kraftwerke with 32% and MVV Energie with 28%". The concept of the project is that it replace two existing 220-MW units. "The project has political, trade union and industry support, but environmental groups are opposed to the plan," ''Power in Europe reports. In July 2009, GKM received permission for the plant to begin operating in 2013 under current emission control laws. The company has begun prepping the site. Citizens groups still oppose the project.


 * Mainz Power Station Expansion Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden (KMW) has proposed building a 1.2 billion euro 823-megawatt coal-fired combined heat and power station near Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. The lead contractor on the project, Siemens has stated it is proposed to be completed by 2013 at the existing KMW power plant site in Mainz. The proposed station has encountered strong community opposition, including the Mainz city council voting against the project. A public hearing on the project was scheduled for late April and "planning authorities are due to decide on the project by the autumn." While KMW said that it planned to press on with its plan despite the vote, Power in Europe concluded that the company "has little choice but to reconsider its strategy". As of July 2009, a European court had asked KMW to consider stopping work on a chimney and loading terminal for the plant. The project received initial approval to begin construction in May, but there continue to be concerns about possible impacts on the environment, public health, and tourism. The city council is still looking at options to stop the project. In August 2009, KMW announced that the project had lost its funding, and banks were unwilling to loan the money necessary to continue the project. The company said the project was in serious jeopardy.


 * Mittelsburen Power Station in Bremen was proposed by SWB to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts and cost 1 billion euros to construct. In April 2008 Power in Europe reported that the project had been cancelled in August 2007 with the company "blaming rising generation equipment costs". In February 2007 the project had been estimated to cost €700 million.


 * Moorburg Power Station in Hamburg is proposed by Vattenfall Europe to have an installed capacity of 1640 megawatts and cost 1.3-1.4 billion to construct. In April 2008 the Power in Europe energy industry newsletter foreshadowed that the project may be blocked as a part of a power sharing agreement between the conservative Christian Democratic Union and the Green Party following the mid-February Hamburg elections. The Greens oppose the project proceeding, which would emit more than 8 million tonnes of CO2 a year. Vattenfall aim to have the project completed by 2012. The city of Hamburg has attached strict environmental conditions to the plant, causing a delay in the progress of the proposal. The conditions include a requirement that the river Elbe does not overheat. Vattenfall is trying to ease the requirements and has tabled a 200-million-euro proposal to construct a cooling tower to enable the plant to run continuously.


 * Neurath Power Station in Rheinland-Pfalz is proposed by RWE Rheinbraun to have an installed capacity of 2030 megawatts (2 x 1,050) and be fired with lignite and cost 2.2 billion to construct. The project is currently under construction. RWE lists it as one of its major capital investments with construction having started in 2006 and anticipated to be commissioned in 2010.


 * Niehl Power Station in Cologne is proposed by Rheinenergie to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts and cost 780-900 million euros to construct and had a notional commissioning date of 2012. Power in Europe reports that in July 2007 that "rising capital costs of new coal plant has forced Rheinenergie to put this project on hold. 30% hike in costs in six months blamed." It also noted that the company commissioned a 400 megawatt gas unit on the same in 2005.


 * Norddeutschland Power Station is proposed by Sudweststrom/Iberdrola to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts. The station has been opened.


 * Profen Power Station in Saxony Anhalt is proposed by Mibrag/ENBW to have an installed capacity of 660 megawatts and cost 600-700 million euros to construct and had a notional commissioning date of 2014/15. Power in Europe noted that in March 2007 "ENBW pulls out, noting investment deadline too tight with NAP doubts hanging over project." The proposal aimed at replacing  "old lignite units at nearby Deuben and Mumsdorf, owned by Mibrag". The proposal would be near Milbrag's lignite mine at Profen.


 * Rheinhafen Power Station in Karlsruhe is proposed by ENBW to have an installed capacity of 820 megawatts and cost 1 billion euros to construct. In April 2008 Power in Europe listed the project status as being "tendering, proposed" with a notional commissioning date of 2011/2012. It also listed the installed capacity as being in the range of 890-912 megawatts with "400?" in brackets. The project was approved by the ENBW board in December 2006. The newsletter also noted that the company was also "actively investigating" a 400 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine plant on the same site. Both the projects are slated as replacement for nuclear power stations set to be retired.


 * Ruhrgebiet Power Station is proposed by EWMR to have an installed capacity of 1100 megawatts. The notional commissioning date is 2011.


 * Saarland Power Station was proposed by STEAG Quierschied to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts. The station is now open.


 * Stade Power Station Expansion: In April 2008 Power in Europe reported that ENBW and Dow Deutschland Anlagengesellschaft were proposing a 1,000 megawatt coal and gas fired unit for Dow's Stade site. "The current 20-yr-old, 150-MWe plant will be decommissioned when the new plant comes on line. Partners are to explore using hydrogen from the site to generate a portion of the power and steam. Power requirement has grown to 600-MWe at the site and annual consumption amounts to 5 TWh. The new power plant could involve a coal unit with about 800-MW, with the CCGT unit, possibly fired with hydrogen, adding flexibility," Power in Europe reported. As of July 2009, the companies had abandoned the plan to build the new coal plant.


 * Staudinger Power Station Expansion is a proposal by E.ON Kraftwerke for a 1,100 megawatt station with a notional commissioning date of 2013 and a construction cost of €1.2 billion. Staudinger is an existing power station is at Grosskrotzenburg near Hanau. Power in Europe reported that in February 2008 the "state elections give no clear outcome, and so no clear guide on planning yet.". It also noted that the company's plans to have construction start in "late 2008" "but had been "delayed at least a year, as E.ON seeks local planning consents amid environmental opposition. Planned start-up slips to 2013." In June 2008 Power in Europe noted that "despite local and state opposition" E.ON "lodged an application for a permit under the federal protection against emissions law on May 23, after making an application under local planning procedures in April. Ironically, on May 21 the state of Hesse’s parliamentary economic and transport committee voted against the planned coal plant on environmental grounds." E.ON proposes that following the commissioning of the new station it would decommission the existing three units: 1 and 2 both have 250 megawatts installed capacity while unit 3 is 300 megawatts. E.ON is defending the proposal on the grounds that the new plant would be 20% more efficient than the existing units and therefore it would 'save' 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. The public comment period for the plant was extended to September 3, 2009. E.ON and authorities will discuss objections in November.


 * Unnamed RWE Power Station (Germany): Power in Europe reported that RWE was proposing to build a 450 megawatt coal unit with Carbon Capture and Storage with a notional commissioning date of 2014 and an estimated cost of €1 billion. "RWE says it needs technical feasibility, political assurance and authorization – as well as board approval – to proceed. Gasification of coal and lignite to be explored," it reported.


 * Walsum 10 Power Station is proposed by a Steag (51%)/EVN (49%) joint venture company formed in March 2005 to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts and cost 800 million euros to construct. The project was proposed in September 2005 and is on the site of the existing Walsum power station site. (Steag currently operates a two-unit cogeneration plant at the Duisburg-Walsum site with an installed capacity of 600 megawatts.) The proposed new unit is referred to as Walsum 10. In a media release Steag stated that "construction begins in the year 2006/2007; commercial operation should commence in 2010". It also stated that Purchasers of the electricity are EVN AG (Energie-Versorgung Niederösterreich) and EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG;


 * Westfalen Power Station in Hamm-Uentrop is proposed by RWE to consist of 2 x 800 megawatt units with a total installed capacity of 1600 megawatts at a cost of 2 billion euros. The notional commissioning dates of the two units are 2011 and early 2012. In April 2008 Power in Europe reported that the construction lincense for the project had been issued and that "23 municipal utilities have taken 350-MW total stake for 25 years at cost of €450 million." It is planned that the project will be online in 2013. It also reported the claim of outgoing CEO Harry Roels confirms intention to invest at Hamm, on line date now seen in 2013. Roels said it would be profitable for RWE to build coal plants, "even under a scenario of 100% carbon auctioning and a CO2 price of up to €30.00/MWh." It also noted that the environmental group BUND estimated the likely carbon dioxide emissions at 8.6 million tons a year. In December 2005 RWE estimated the cost of the project as being €1.3 billion. Power in Europe also noted that RWE "already operates the Westfalen coal station, with three units commissioned in the 1960s, at the site."


 * Unnamed Electrabel Power Station at Wilhelmshaven, Stade and Brunsbuttel is proposed by Electrabel to have an installed capacity of 1600 megawatts (2 X 800 megawatts. At its 2008 annual general meeting, the shareholders of the Swiss energy company BKW were told that BKW had acquired a 33 percent (or 240 Megawatt) stake in the project in late 2007 which is "scheduled to go live in 2013".


 * Wilhelmshaven Power Station (E.ON Kraftwerke) is a proposal by E.ON Kraftwerke for a 500 megawatt unit with a notional commissioning date of 2014. Power in Europe reports that "planning will be complete by the end of 2008, with construction beginning as early as 2010." (See also Germany and coal)

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